PEANUT NOODLE SALAD

By LindaW1955

Ingredients

• 1 pound spaghetti or linguine
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 3/4 cup chunky peanut butter (see note)
• 6 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (see note)
• 1 cucumber, peeled, quartered lengthwise, seeded, and sliced thin
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch strips
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

Step 1

1. COOK PASTA Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add pasta and salt to boiling water and cook until al dente. Reserve ¾ cup cooking water. Drain pasta in colander, rinse with cold water until cool, drain once more, and transfer to large bowl. Add sesame oil and toss to coat.
2. DRESS AND TOSS Whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, hot sauce, and 6 tablespoons pasta cooking water in medium bowl until smooth. Add dressing, cucumber, bell pepper, and cilantro to pasta and toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to adjust consistency. Serve.
MAKE AHEAD Oil-coated pasta, dressing, and vegetables can be refrigerated in separate airtight containers for 2 days. Bring ingredients to room temperature before tossing together. Add warm water to thin as needed